Come on Barbie, let’s go win Best Picture!
Without any question or doubt, the movie I have been most anticipating all year is Barbie (2023). Not only because I’m a massive fan of the Barbie brand, writer / director Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, but also because despite being based on an intellectual property, every interview and trailer I’ve seen for this movie confirmed that it was going to be a movie that managed to balance ridiculously silly fun and thought-provoking insight about what it means to be human. Brilliant trailers and marketing campaigns conveyed the delightful yet introspective tone, only adding to my excitement. Seriously, I truly can’t remember the last time I was this excited to see a movie. I’ve bought merchandise, gone to Barbie events and was overjoyed at seeing a theatre lobby overflowing with happy patrons decked out in head to toe pink ready to see this movie. There was no way I was not going to thoroughly love Barbie and instantly claim it as one of my all-time favourites. And guess what? That’s exactly what happened.
Based on the iconic fashion doll of the same name, Barbie follows the titular character, a carefree doll living perfect day after perfect day in the matriarchal utopia of Barbieland. When her perfect life begins to unravel, Barbie must travel to the real world to learn about what it means to exist.
I don’t even know where to begin. I have so much praise to shower this movie and its cast and crew with that I’m unsure how to organize it all into one cohesive review. I suppose I should start as the movie does with a look back at some of Barbie’s most famous outfits. It’s a quick montage, but it brought a huge smile to my face to see some of the doll’s most iconic looks perfectly brought to life. In my head I was going,”there’s Great Shape Barbie! Ooh, and Totally Hair Barbie!” That montage swiftly brings us to Barbieland which just like the entirety of this movie, is utterly adorable. I’m being so serious, I want to live in Barbieland so bad. Aside from the eternal joy and perfection, the production design is astounding. Every small detail of this pink paradise is brilliantly thought out, becoming a perfect translation for what the home of all Barbies would look like. Gerwig mentioned how she was inspired by old soundstage musical movies and the influence is clear to see as the vibrance and beautiful practical craftsmanship of each set, prop and effect is marvellous to behold.
AS WERE THE OUTFITS.
It can’t be stated enough how utterly perfect all the costumes in Barbie, both those that were reproductions and those that were original designs, are. Much like Barbie herself, Barbie the movie is unapologetically bold and colourful, never shying away from the extreme or the playful but rather indulging in all the wonderful options we have as people. A president in a ballgown? Hell yes! Astronauts in shiny purple spacesuits? “Yay space!” Barbie and Ken in matching 1990s-era rollerblade outfits? Of course! The fun, imagination, creativity and unbridled femininity that Barbie has represented for decades is masterfully translated from toy shelf to silver screen by Gerwig and the truly magical team she assembled. Every frame of this movie is a technical and visual marvel, a joyful delight for longtime Barbie fans or anyone who would love to be a part of her world. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to live in a world where women reign supreme, everyone’s dressed fabulously, and nobody ever judges or ridicules each other?
The trailer for Barbie included the disclaimer, “if you love Barbie, this movie is for you. If you hate Barbie, this movie is for you.” The movie is far from defamatory, but Gerwig does an excellent job of poking fun at everybody’s favourite doll and also highlighting her problems just as much as she celebrates the extraordinary ways the 11-inch icon has inspired girls of all ages to aspire to be whatever they set their minds to. Barbie is both a lighthearted campy love letter to all the things that Barbie stands for – female success, friendship, fun and overall fabulosity – while also delivering surprisingly poignant and life-changing philosophies on what it means to be human. Whatever your gender identity, being a human being is never easy. Barbie competently tackles universally complex themes and ideas, ensuring audiences leave theatres with tears in their eyes and newfound appreciation for all that they are. Not to oversimplify it, but this is a special movie. Brimming with love, laughter and joy, it’s also one of the most thoughtful and self-affirming movies I’ve ever seen.
Trust and believe though, Barbie is not some dull philosophical thinkpiece hiding behind pink wrapping paper. Just as much as the movie produces moments of quiet reverence, it also produces moments of raucous laughter. There’s an entire Dreamhouse worth of fun to be had with this movie. Colourful costumes, charming choreography, chaotic car chases…Barbie has everything! Non-stop jokes that are laugh-out-loud funny populate the two hour runtime (I could have easily sat another two hours watching this masterpiece) and the humour and wit are a winning mix that brings to mind comedies like Toy Story (1995), The Lego Movie (2014), Enchanted (2007) and Legally Blonde (2001). By the way, check out my reviews for those movies, here, here, here and here.
There isn’t a single Barbie or Ken – or Allan or Midge! – that I would not lay down my life for. Every member of the cast effortlessly brings such overwhelming fun, joy and innocence to their performances that you can’t help but feel that as well. Every character is a delight to watch and there isn’t a single weak link amongst any of them. Although it would ruin the fantastically succinct narrative flow of Barbie, I would happily watch a spinoff of just about any character. Everyone is clearly having the most fun (duh, how could you not on this set?) but Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are having THE MOST fun. I don’t think there has ever been more perfect casting than Robbie and Gosling as Barbie and Ken, respectively. Everyone understood the assignment perfectly but none more so than Robbie and Gosling. Robbie shines as she delivers a moving and powerful performance, one that even with its many layers, is always quintessentially Barbie. The way she takes this character on a journey from naive doll to inspired woman is breathtaking beautiful.
RYAN GOSLING. KEN. RYAN GOSLING AS KEN. When I tell you this is one of the most hilarious performances I’ve seen in a long time…Gosling’s scene-stealing performance as Ken is so unexpected and so sidesplittingly funny that every line reading of his will have you in stitches. His puppy dog playfulness and devotion to Barbie is perfection. The childlike innocence, curiosity and overall demeanour that Gosling has as Ken is incredibly fun to watch, even more so when you realize that much like Robbie, Gosling takes Ken on an equally transformative journey. It can’t be stated enough how much Gosling dominates this role. I’m being 100 per cent serious when I say that he deserves every award imaginable for his performance. Yes, even the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor! No one could have played this role as lovably and devoted as him.
There is nothing I don’t full heartedly trust Gerwig with. Now 3/3, I don’t think there’s a type of movie she can’t make. When was the last time a movie has made people feel this much joy? From audiences dressing up for screenings to the positive and emotional fan reaction, Barbie is a miraculous feat. Truly, it was absolutely everything I wanted a Barbie movie to be. There will inevitably be a bunch of discourse about this movie analyzing every aspect of it, but the most important thing to remember is that this is a fantastically made and executed movie. One that’s a ton of fun to watch while also touching on true to life hardships that are going to strongly resonate with a lot of people who see it. If you’re going to see Barbie (and I strongly recommend you do) go into it with an open mind and an open heart. If you do, you’ll quickly find that this movie isn’t at all plastic, just fantastic.
Have you seen Barbie?
Let me know in the comments or on social media!
Luke's Living Room 